Katy Black, marketing director at Verona Group, explains the advantages of exterior porcelain tiles
OFFERING durability, stylish designs and excellent slip resistance, outdoor porcelain tiles have so many advantages over traditional sandstone or concrete flagstones, it’s easy to see why they’ve become such a popular choice. Using porcelain tiles externally creates a contemporary look that’s easy to maintain and, unlike some natural materials, won’t turn green and slippery over time.
At Verona, we first launched our Al Fresco range of 20mm outdoor porcelain tiles back in 2018, when they were still relatively new to the UK market. While consumers were immediately drawn to their appearance, fitters and landscapers were sometimes hesitant, often preferring to work with materials they were more familiar with. Over time, however, outdoor porcelain has become far more mainstream, with many installers now specialising in porcelain installations. With the correct tools and equipment, fitting outdoor porcelain is a straightforward process.
In terms of appearance, natural stone-effect designs continue to be our best-sellers, particularly in shades ranging from warm creams through to mid-greys. Colour choice is often influenced by the exterior of the property itself, with softer, more natural tones complementing traditional red or brown brickwork, while greys and anthracites tend to work well with rendered or painted exteriors. One key thing we’ve learned over the years is that exterior tiles are far less trend-driven than interior tiles. When customers invest in a new patio, they expect it to look good for many years, so they naturally gravitate towards safer designs. As a result, while our Al Fresco collection once included bolder patterns and highly contemporary styles, it’s now focused on a core range of proven, timeless styles.
As with indoor tiling, we’ve seen a clear move towards larger format tiles being used. The once-popular 60x60cm tile has gradually fallen out of favour, with 60x90cm now the most widely specified size. Larger 100x100cm tiles, such as our Al Fresco XL range, are particularly well suited to bigger projects, creating a more seamless finish with fewer grout lines. These larger formats are often chosen where homeowners want to visually link their interior and exterior spaces, which is why the Verona Al Fresco XL collection also includes coordinating indoor tiles.
When specifying outdoor tiles, it’s important to look beyond design and price alone. Tiles should meet minimum requirements of R11 slip resistance, as well as an appropriate breaking strength for external use. A PEI wear rating of at least 4 is ideal for exterior use. While the market has become increasingly crowded with lower-priced outdoor porcelain options, quality and performance can vary significantly, so it’s essential to understand exactly what specification you’re supplying or installing, especially if you’re considering tiles less than 20mm thick.
For anyone supplying outdoor tiles, it also makes sense to offer the full range of accessories needed for a correct installation. This includes suitable cutting blades, brush-in or flowable exterior grouts, and priming slurry, which is essential for achieving a strong and lasting bond between the tile and the mortar bed.
Looking ahead, exterior porcelain tiles are clearly more than just a passing trend. Their combination of durability, low maintenance and consistent performance makes them ideally suited to modern outdoor living, while their design versatility allows them to work across both contemporary and traditional settings. As homeowners continue to invest in their gardens and outdoor spaces as true extensions of the home, porcelain paving has firmly established itself as a long-term solution that is here to stay.
www.veronagroup.co.uk
